EXCLUSIVE: Shirley MacLaine is set to star and Alan Arkin and Vera Farmiga are negotiating to star in the Sue Kramer-directed indie feature The Locals. The film puts a contemporary spin on the Romeo and Juliet tale by injecting a Jewish/Italian twist. Kramer wrote the script. eOne Entertainment is selling foreign territories, and production starts in the Bronx later this fall.

“These two cultures have so much in common,” Kramer said. “Love of gab, love of food, they talk with their hands, and they feed you with guilt.”

The film will be produced by Grow Pictures’ Jill Footlick, Curious Pictures’ Marina Grasic and Kramer through her Bella Films banner. Curious is co-financing with private-equity partners and UAS. John Hadity will be exec producer alongside Movie Package Company’s Shaun Redick and Ray Mansfield. Kramer is repped by WME and Brillstein, MacLaine and Arkin by ICM, and Farmiga by CAA.

2 Comments

Love all the people involved, but when people talk about the death of indie film, the death of DVD…why are all these projects announced with financing if indie film is dying?

Yes, I read about new models and modes of distribution, about new financiers and new money coming in. Film is still the most powerful art form in world history, despite the crap that gets made for that global box office. But I’m sorry, no one is rushing out to see a movie like this. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled it’s getting made, but what’s the story with indie film?